reconnaissance

noun

re·​con·​nais·​sance ri-ˈkä-nə-zən(t)s How to pronounce reconnaissance (audio)
-sən(t)s
: a preliminary survey to gain information
especially : an exploratory military survey of enemy territory

Examples of reconnaissance in a Sentence

There are two helicopters available for reconnaissance. They did a reconnaissance of the enemy's position.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Military reconnaissance platforms could operate reliably in the harshest conditions, from arctic temperatures to desert heat. Siyu Huang, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 When shown reconnaissance photos of football pitches in Cienfuegos in 1970, the U.S.’s then-national security adviser, Henry Kissinger, demanded to see President Richard Nixon immediately. James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 June 2025 This is particularly true when aerial reconnaissance or extraction is required. Owen Clarke, Outside Online, 23 June 2025 Over the years, Tehran has built up a network of hacking groups to conduct reconnaissance, disinformation, data theft, sabotage and influence operations. Nakissa Jahanbani, The Conversation, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for reconnaissance

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, recognition, from Middle French reconoissance, from Old French reconoistre to recognize

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reconnaissance was in 1779

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reconnaissance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconnaissance. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

reconnaissance

noun
re·​con·​nais·​sance ri-ˈkän-ə-zən(t)s How to pronounce reconnaissance (audio)
: a survey (as of enemy territory) to gain information
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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